On Sunday local time, Northam Police in Western Australia announced on Facebook they'd arrested a 19-year-old man for allegedly terrorising teenage girls while in a clown costume. He has been charged with disorderly behaviour and possession of a disguise.

"It is alleged that he chased a group of teenage girls while dressed as a clown," the police wrote. The man apparently chased the women to the door of a police station and tried to run away when officers opened the door.

It is not illegal to wear a clown costume. As police noted on Facebook, you will only be charged with wearing a clown disguise "if it is in connection to committing an offence."

The Western Australian police are not the only local force aware of the issue. On Friday, Victoria Police said it had heard reports of clown events in the state.

"The clown purge appears to be a copycat of incidents being seen in the US," the organisation said on its Facebook page. "Any intimidating or threatening, as well as anti-social behaviours will not be tolerated and will be investigated."

In New South Wales, where people in clown costumes were apparently spotted on Thursday night, Campbelltown police Inspector Tara Norton told the Daily Telegraph no arrests had yet been made.

"There's the potential for retaliation or people could be seriously hurt or could die by trying to get away," she said. "Don't get involved with a group of people going out to do something so ridiculous and dangerous. If you do, be prepared to face the consequences which will be serious."

Mashable
is a global, multi-platform media and entertainment company. Powered by its own proprietary technology, Mashable is the go-to source for tech, digital culture and entertainment content for its dedicated and influential audience around the globe.